Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-12-03

FEEDS FORFEIT.

H was the last night Of October.
Without the old Ray farmhouse the
actumm wind was holding high revel,
rattling the windows and whistling
round the caves, sending the remain
ing nuts and acorns down in pclting
showers, and whirling the dead leaves
before it la q very dcrvish dance.
But within all was light and warmth
and cheer, for the great kitchen had
been given over TO the young people
sor Halloween merry-making, and
nuts were swapping, apples bobblng
and every charm was at work that
1nirtli on mischief could devise.
'.And now for n rousing sacst-
story" said Harry Ray, as there was
q luII ia the merry din. Gather
Eouud the fire, boys and girls. The
witciiing hour draws near when
churcb-yards yawn and graves give up
GEoir dcad!''
s-Oii, don'tto cried half a dozen of
fhc girls, ncrvously-"don't, Harry,
please"
Il know n regular bl~ood-curdler,"
continued Harry, relentlcsSly, lust
adapted 10 this occasion. Blow out
the lights, boys; I'm going to make
your Hcsh crcep!'
ooh, do hug us up close, Fred!'
pleaed little Tom and joey, shudder-
ing, as they sought their big cousins
arms. Harry is going to scare us
awful n0w!'
emo, don't. Harry" said Fred, earn
estiy. Il declare against any such chill
ing entertainment as ghost-stories!'
what have you got to do with it?"
asked Harry, roughly.
sNOt much. of course" answered
Fred, his face flushing at his cousins
hone. for spoiled Harry let no oppor-
stunity pass Of showing Fred how little
consequence he was in the Ray home
stead.
He was the orphan son of a distant
relative, and for the last three years
had done chores about the farm in re-
turn for his board and the privilege
OF attending the district school. Har-
RVS old jackets and cast-off hats, n
cold garrett, cold corner and ''cold
shoulder" generally was his portion.
But he was nevertheless, a CHEEKY,
big-hcarted young fellow, and -four
isEed even on this fare, bitter rs he
often found il. The horses neighed at
his footsteps, the dogs licked his hand,
and Tom and Joey, the siX-year-old
fwius, Uetted after him at all times
aud all places. 1t was in their inter
est he spoke to-nIght.
you'll brighten these little tackers
81 they won't sleep n wink!
~tB9tker the little tackcrs. They
ought 10 be in bed, anyhow"
Put il to the vote, then" said Fed,
EasF- s.lNhs,i c1.ll - a.. ,rf,l. .,l
~boys-ghosts or forfeits?'
"Eorfeits, forfcits!' was the almost
unanimous cry-''a jolly game Of for
&citS-"
Hasry's brow darl1cncd rs he saw
himself ovcrrulcd. He stood looking
an s~ullcnly while the others flung their
forfeiEs ia the big basket that Fred
handed around, and that soon brimmed
over with its burden OF scarfs and
Eaandkerchicfs, ncck-ribbons, knives,
pcncjlcascs and watch-guards.
The forfcit-holder, Len Evans, took
his seat, and then Fred, who had been
appointed judge, turned good-humor-
cdly TO Harry:
you're better than | am ut this sort
of fun, Hal; take my place"
And, somewhat Modified, Hal took
his place; and, allowing his eyes TO be
baad2 gcd, began TO administer tasks
with a roguish malice that might rea-
sdnabiy cause the suspicion that JUS
tice, iR this ease, was not SO blind rs
she seemed.
Pretty Mary Lee was ordered to
5Iacken the end of her saucy little
nose, dappcr VIII Green to souse his
earcfuliy oiled head three times in the
water-barrcl, and stolid Sam Grcavcs
TO turn a double somcrsault on the
Kitchen floor.
Silence in the court - silcncc.'
shouted the forfeit-mastcr, rs poor
Sam rolled ever, with II split jacket
aud apoplectic face, mid Il very hurri-
cane of glecful applause.
I've come to another and most val
suabie forfeit now. which will require
his t,oitor's grave attention"
And he held up a big iack-knifc.
.4Oh. that's yours, Fred, isn't itp'
said little Tom, in a stagc-whisper.
.sHush. hush!" admonished Fred,
shaking his head, while Len waved the
jsek-knife and went on, in solemn tone;
Heavy, heavy hangs over your
head"
Fine OF superfinep' asked Harry.
@sEine. What shall the owner do?'
The ownerp Let me think! Bring
me three leaves ivy-leaves from the
church-yard WALL" said the Judge,
after a moments pause.
@Oii, OH went up n general MUIR
mur of dismay. ''whose is that?"
Mine" replied Fred, stepping for
ward; s'and / think Harry knew it,"
tDo you mean to say | cheatcd?'
said iais cousin. snatching off his ban.
dasc- :,
Il mcan IT, say Tom told" said Fred.